When 4th Congressional District Republican challenger Cory Gardner talks about clean energy legislation commonly referred to as cap and trade, he calls it a job-killing tax. When his opponent, incumbent Democrat Rep. Betsy Markey, D-Colo., talks about the measure, she calls it a critical first step to energy independence that will help the economy. This message disparity isn’t unusual. Across the country – mostly in districts with a strong energy or manufacturing sector – Democrats and Republicans are locked in a battle to define the message about the American Clean Energy and Security Act, which passed the House this summer. Similar legislation has stalled in the Senate. “You’ll see Republicans constantly refer to the cap-and-trade bill as a tax,” said Isaac Wood, the House campaign editor for Sabato’s Crystal Ball, a political analysis newsletter and website that’s part of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. “Clear Copyright 2010 The Greeley Publishing Co.. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Greeley Publishing Co. Markey, Gardner battle over new energy October, 2 2010 1:39 am MST

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